Sleep Deprivation Study 6/04

These are pictures from my 7-day stay at Beth Israel Hospital in Boston. I was kept awake for 72 hours straight and survived with my humor intact. Would I do it again? Knowing what I'd be in for, perhaps, but most likely not. There are far less invasive ways of earning $1300. Like anal sex, for instance... :)

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My first day there and the only one I wore this silly gown. The view outside my room... ...and inside. Note PC next to bed: I had to do hourly "tests" on it and every morning it woke me up with this hideous ringing sound
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My Actigraphy watch, which somehow tracked movement Side view after electrode attachment If I had gills, you can bet I was wired to 'em
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The 16 electrodes on my head and chest were attached to this li'l unit But what a view I had! My I.V. stand, another constant (and squeaky) companion
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I got to watch TONS of movies and bad TV My arm had a catheter in it all the time for my hourly blood draws I don't think I was deprived at this point yet
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This whole study was harder on poor Lesley, who saw me deteriorate. Yay for flowers, though! The blue one's connected to the...ass bone... Another nice sunset
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Day view through my IV and wires My hourly regime the monitors had to check off...kinda blurry Slightly more legible? I basically had about 15 minutes to "myself" every hour, though I was constantly kept company.
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I liked my pee pot so much they gave me a couple. These things ROCK for camping and nights when the bathroom is just too far away!

This study was being done to assess the effects of sleep deprivation on inflammation and blood pressure. I was the third out of 52 guinea pigs and have to say the nurses and monitors were SO nice to me and made a potentially-horrible situation almost tolerable. Bless their big hearts and cute booties for keeping my sanity!



Last updated: 7/25/04